18

Isla’s POV

My mother?

Her presence surprised me, as I hadn't expected to see her here. There was a mix of emotions swirling within me - a combination of joy, anxiety, and uncertainty. It had been so long since I had last seen her, and our relationship had been complicated.

"M-Mother," I stammered, my eyes darting between her and the pack doctor, unsure how to react. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

A soft smile played on her lips as she stepped further into the room. "I heard of your triumph, Isla," she replied, her voice carrying a note of tenderness I hadn't heard in years. "I couldn't stay away any longer. I had to see the incredible warrior and mother you've become."

Her admission struck a chord within me, reminding me of the years of estrangement that had plagued our relationship. I had grown up longing for her approval, her love, and yet every attempt to reach out had been met with walls and distance. The pain lingered, doubts clouding my mind as I questioned her